Apparatus for fabricating wire mesh



4Sept. 16, 1930. M. P. GEI-RET APPARATUS FOR FABRICTING WIRE BSH FiledlFeb. 24, '195o 11 sheets-sheet 1 Execu't'rzloa. @14% Sept. 16, 1930. M, p GEHRET l 1,776,220

APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING WIRE MESH l Filed'Feb. 24, 1930 11 sheets-sheet 2 Sept. 16, 1930.l M. P. GEHRET v 1,776,220 v APPARATUS FOR FBRCATING WIRE *BSH Filed Feb. 24, 1930 11 sheets-sneu 3 Sept. 16, 1930.

M. P. GEHRET APPARATUS FOR FABRICA'IINGl WIRE MESH Filed Feb. 24, 1930 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept 16, 1930. M p. ,GEH-RET 1,116.22@

APPARATUS FOR FABRCATIG WIRE MESH Filed Feb. z4 195o 11 sheets-sheet 5 Sept. lf, w30. M. P. GEHRET APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING WIRE MESH -'Filed Feb. 24, 1930 l1 Sheets-Sheet 6 l 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 5 i @awww mw 96e y @e fai n AE ,0 M@ M w Sept. 16, 1930. M. Pt GEI-RET APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING WIRE MESH Filed Feb. 24, 1930 .Mh fm m.

Mv www fh sept. 1s, 1930.

M. P. GEHRET APPARATUS FOR AFABRGATING WIRE MESH Filed Feb. 24, l1930 11 Sheets-Sheet 8.

Nahlon l? Gehrei;

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Sept. Y16, 1930.

M. P. GEHRET APPARATUS FOR FABRIGATING WIRE 'MESH I l1 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Feb. 24, 1930 9J. ,6, Q www? JEMMW@ mmf 9% wf Sept. 16,` 1930. M. P. GEHRET 1,776,220

APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING WIRE MESH Filed Feb. 24, 1930 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 'APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING WIRE MSH v ,m Bamm Z222. @5am M Q M m crossed relation,

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Patented sept. 16, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENTl OFFICE MAHLON GEHRET, DECEASED, LATE 0F BRIDGEPORT, PENNSYLVANIA, BY MARY A.

,GEHRER EXECUTRIX, OF BRIDGEPORT, PENNSYLVANIA APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING WIRE MESH Application led ebruary 24,- 1930, Serial sive formation of angularly-dis'posed sheds of wire ends trailing from previously-'formed fabric with alternate reversals in the relation of such ends for' reception of and successive incorporation of these new strands in the, fabric through intermittent progression of the latter during periods between consecutive shed formations. Apparatus heretofore available for weaving diamond wire mesh in accordance with the .principle briefly outlined, was usually designed for manual operation, requiring not only special skill on the part of the weaver, but extreme physical effort in manipulation, thereby rendering production very slow and costly, and often with the output faulty or iras well as necessitating trimming with consequent wastage of material.

The main object of the invention is to overcome the various diiiiculties above pointed outf-that is to say,-to enable fabrication of diamond wire mesh more economically than heretofore andwithout wastage of material; and to provide an efficient apparatus wherefby this may be expeditiously accomplished with minimum labor and expense, as well as without requiring any special skill on the part of theoperator.

Another object of the present invention is to secure the foregoing advanta es in a weaving apparatus capable of rea y and quick adaptation to fabrication of wire mesh diff fering in the pitch or distance between adjacent wire strands.

A further object of the invention A isv the improvement of the prior patent for Apparatus for fabricating wire mesh, granted November 9, 1926, to- John K. Gehret and Mahlon P. Gehret, No. 1,605,934. The particular new strands in No. 131,025l and in Germany may 7, 192s.

features in which it is soughtfto improve the structure of the aforesaid patent is in the mounting of the feed rolls whereby advance of the formed mesh is obtained, to provide a more solid support therefor, to improve the operating means for the shed formers by providing means insuring a positive initial return impulse thereof from the operating to the releasing position, to improve the counterbalancing means employed in conjunction with the shed formers to return them to their inoperative position-in order that tendency to side strains on the apparatus may be eliminated, and to further ,generally improve the structure of said machine so that it may be more efficient in operation and durable in service.

The invention further resides in certain novel'structural details which make for eficiency in operation and durability of the machine as a Whole.

Still other objects and attendant advantages will be manifest from the detailed description, which follows, of the typical embodiment of the invention illustrated by the drawings herewith; and in which Fig. l is a plan view;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the apparatus viewed in the direction of the arrows 2-2, in Fig. 1;

Fig. is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3-3, Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view ofthe organization, with various portions in the background omitted to avoid confusion;

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of one of the A shaft-supporting elements;

Fig. v6 is a fragmentary section on the line 6 6, Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic fragmentary detail plan section showing the manner o formation of the wire mesh, the section being taken as indicated by the arrows 7'7 in Figs. 2 and 4; y

FigsnS and 9 are detail sectional views showing theoperation of the shed-forming means; y

' Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the wire-engaging instrumentalities employed in. connection with the shed formers;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary elevation, on a larger scale than the preceding illustrations, of 'the mechanism provided for actuating each of the shed formers;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary elevational View showing a detail of the tooth-bar actuating mechanism;

Fig. 13 isa fragmentary enlargement .of a part of the tooth-bar mechanism;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional View on the line 14-14, Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view similar to that of l Fig. 14 but showingy the parts in another position;

Fig. 16 is a local section taken as indicated by the arrows 16-16 in Figs. 1 and 4, the view being considerably contracted laterally by breaks at convenient intermediate regions;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary elevation of the mechanism for progressing the metallic fab; ric through the apparatus;

Fig. 18 is a detail section taken as indicated by the arrows 18-18 in Fig. 17

Fig. 19 is a section` viewed in the direction of the arrows 19--19 in Fig. 21', showing the clutch mechanism for controlling operation of the apparatus;

I Fig. 20 is an axial section of the clutch mechanism along the plane indicated by the arrows 20--20 in Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 is a plan view of the apparatus with parts of the upper structure omitted to show the details of the driving mechanism and control elements; and illustrates also a modiication of tooth-bar actuating mechanism;

Fig. 22 'is a fragmentary side elevation similar to that of Fig. 2 but illustrating the aforesaid modification, an'd y Fig. v23 is a fragmentary section on the line 23-23, Fig. 22. y

Referring more particularly toFigs. 1 and 21 of the drawings, it will be observed that zontal series of rollers the main frame of the apparatus is rectangular at the rear end, while its sides approach each other symmetrically at the forward end to meet substantially in a right angle, with the apex thereof in the median line of the structure. In the illustrated apparatus the main frame is built entirely of standard structural iron shapes, comprising rear corner uprights 1, intermediate side columns 2,2, and a single centrally-located frontal column 3 at the juncture of the angular sides; as well as a series of horizontals which are bolted or otherwise secured to the several uprights and consecutively numbered 4-8 inclusive, reading downwards in Fig. 2. At the level of the horizontal 7, the frame is braced internally (see Figs. 1 and 4), by a longitudinal beam 9, and also by parallel struts 10 that tie the side columns 2 to the rear of the framestructure.

In the course of manufacture, the metallic fabric (see Fig. 7)- is supported upon a hori- 11 whereby lit is also 16, extending lengthwise ofthe apparatussee Figs. 1 and 4, which rotates in journal bearings- 17 and 18 mounted upon the longi tudinal bracing beam 9. As later explained, the line shaft 16 is intermittently rotated to move the metallic fabric (Fig. 7) as each new pair of strands is incorporated. In order t0 increase the tractive action of the rollers 11, there is provided a corresponding series of cooperating rollers 19 that are mounted, with capacity for free rotation, in a horizontal overhanging frame 20 which is pivoted at 21 lto the rear end of the main frame so that its forward end can be lifted to enable initial threading of a starting piece or length of fabric. The means provided for lifting the frame 20 in the manner just noted, includes a lever handle 22 see Figs. 1 and 4) fulcrumed at 23 to the top of the frontal column 3 and connected with said frame 2O by a drop link 24. To insure greater lrigidity against distortion under the weight of the rollers 19, the frame 2.0 is braced by tie bars 25, while it is prevented from lateral shifting during movement, by guides 26, one being disposed at each side of the apparatus-see Fig. l-and bolted to the adjoining intermediate side column 2 of the main frame, as illustrated `in Fig. 6. It is essential that-the feed rollers 11 run true. and inl order to prevent possible distortion thereof under the action of the spiral gears 14 and the pinions 15, there is provided, one at each side of the gears 14 and operatively engaging ing bar 27 whom function is to maintain an undistorted axis in the rollers. The ends of these bars 27 are secured by means ofscrews to the bearings 18 which are extended upwardly to form lying rollers 11 and to provide a support for the bars 27. with a series of recesses29 for reception of the reduced portions of theremaimng rollers, (see Fig.-4), which portions neatly fit` the recesses and are thereby Instead of the bars 27 a bearing similar to the bearings 18 may be provided for each of the lower rollers.

Referring more particularly to 7, it will be ap arent that in the weaving of the metallic fa ric, it is necessary to .form a double shed along the lines A--A and Bf-Bto enable, at each actuation vof the apparatus, the incorporation of two new wire strands the respective rollers`11, a bearjournals 28 for the over Each of the bars is provided f held iii-position.

in crossed relation for each intermittent progression of the fabric whereby the pitchor the s acingof the strands is determined.

Fort e purpose mentioned, there is employed what may conveniently be termed lshed formers, comprehensively designated 30 inA the several illustrations.- These shed formers 30 are identical in construction, and respectively occupy the angular sides ofthe main frame, one of them being shown complete in side elevation `'in Fig. 2. yEach of the shed formers 30 comprises upper and lower opposing members or jaws 31, 32 respectively provided with projecting teeth 33, 34 that are adapted to intermesh when in the closed or shed-forming position illustrated. The upper member 31 1s guided for reciprocative movement through engagement of its opposite ends in suitable slots alorded by the columns 2, ,3, and it is equipped with spaced upward projections 35 guides 36 on the horizontal 6 of the main frame for attachment of circumferentially grooved anti-friction rollers 37. These anti friction rollers 37. are acted upon by mechanism which includes a longitudinally shiftable bar 38, hung from the upper frame horizontal 5 by a pair of links 39, so as lto engage within the circumferential grooves-of the rollers 37 Downward movement of the upper shed-forming member 31 is opposed by weights 40 adjustable along oppositely extending levers 41 which are fulcrumed at .tion when the actuating bar 38 is moved to its dotted line position in Fig. 2. The lower yshed-'forming member 32 is likewise guided for vertical reciprocation with its ends engaging appropriate slots afforded by the columns 2, 3, and it is actuated in a similar manner, but in opposition to its own weight, by a longitudinally shiftable bar 48 pivotally connected to the lower frame lhorizontal 8 by links 49 which engage grooved anti-frictibn rollers 50 mounted on depending projections 51 of said lower member 32. Theupward movement of the lower jaw 32 is aided, and the downward movement of the jaw controlled, by a counterweight 52 carried at one end of a lever 53 pivotallysecured at 54 to that-extend through,

latch 56 which is pivoted on a stud 57 for engagement of its hooked end 58 with'a pin 59 on a rotatable disk 60. This disk 60 is fixed upon a stub shaft 61 journaled in a depending bearing 62 of a bracket 63 bolted to the frame horizontal 5. Incidental to rotation of the disk 60 in the direction indicated by the arrow thereon, the bar 38 will be moved to the left as viewed `in Fig. 11 and the toothed member 3l Athereby depressed. v

Disengagement between the hooked end 58 of the latch 56 and the pin 59 is automatically brought about, subsequently, by a cam 64 on the disk 60 which is adapted to engage a transversely projecting flange 65 onthe latch and thereby to force the latch downwardly around its pivot. Toaii'ord an adjustment of the point of kick-0H or detachment of the hook 58 from the pin 59,"the latch pivot stud 57 is made adjustable ina longitudinal slot` bar 48,-that-,is to say,-a latch hook pivoted to the left hand end of said bar is adapted for engagement by the pin 71 on a rotatable disk 72 mounted on a stub shaft 73 rotatable in a bearing bracket 74,1an exact counterpart of the bearing bracket 63.

The latch 70, inverted in this instance, is held in a normal l 75 by means of a spring 76. The latch is adjustable longitudinally of the bar 48 through the medium of a slot 77 and bolt 78, and the kick-off or disengagement of the hook and pin is effected through a'cam 79 on the disk 72 which engages a flange 804 'on the latch and thereby rocks the latter away from the pin. Simultaneous driving ofthe rotatarelied upon to actuate the lower shiftable I position against a stop pin with each rotation of the coordinating shaft shiftable bars 38, 48- are moved from the dot-and-dash line positions to the full line positions-shown in Fig. 2.

For the purpose of assisting return movement of the shiftable bars 38, 48 to the dotand-dash line positions upon disengagement of the `latches 56. 70. there is provided kickoff devices indicated respectively at 86, 87 in' Figs. 2 and 11. Each of these kick-ofi devices embodies a bolt 88 slidable in a fitting '89 secured to the corresponding shiftable bar,

and subject to a spring 90 tendingk to urge a terminal head 91 against the conti ous side column 2. Thus', as the shiftable bars 38, 48 are moved to the left, (Fig. 2) energy is stored in the springs 90, said energy being subsequently spent in initiating movement of the bars 38, 48 in the opposite direction; or, in other Words, to move them sufficiently for advancement of the links 39, 49 beyond the vertical dead ccnter,',thereby enabling gravity to complete movement of the bars 38, 48 to the dot-and-dash line positions. rl`his kick-oli and return movement will naturally be rapid. and in order to avoid incidental noise, as Well'as shock to the apparatus frame, there is provided suitable buffers 92-of rubber or the like-against which the bars 38, 48 come to rest.

lnaddition to or in place of the kickoff devices 86, 87, there may be provided a positive kick-off in the form of cams 93, 94 on the disks 60, 72 respectively adapted to contact with rollers 95 96 on the respective bars 38, 48, thereby, as the disks revolve, positively forcing the bars to the right, Fig. 11, beyond the vertical dead center positions of the links 39, 49. i

The shed formers 30 at respectively opposite angular sides of the main frame must of course be simultaneously operated. To this end, the main shaft 97, see Figs. 1 and 2 1, extends the full Width of the apparatus and is journaled in bearings 98, said shaft imparting power by means of miter gear couples 99, to the stub shafts 73 of the actuating means associated with the two lower shiftable bars 48 for transmission, in turn, to the upper shiftable bar actuating means through the vertical coordinating shafts 8.5. y

In the embodiment of this invention illustrated, the machine derives power from an eelctric motor conventionally indicated at 101 in Figs. 1 and 21. Affixed to the shaft of this motor. is a spur pinion which transmits motion, through an interposed train of speed reduction gears 102 to a sleeve 103 normally rotatable freely upon the main shaft 97. The power from the motor 101 is transmittible from the sleeve 103 to the shaft 97 under control of a clutch generally indicated in the drawings by the numeral 104 and shown on a larger scale in Figs. 19 and 20. r1`his clutch 104 comprises opposed coupling members in the form of disks 105, 106 whereof the former is keyed tothe sleeve 103, while the latter 106 has capacity formovement toward and away from the former by virtue of being axially slidable on a square bushing 107 keyed to the shaft 97, see Fig. 20. The clutch members or disks 105, 106 are provided with teeth 108 capable of interlocking but normally held separated in opposition to a compression spring 109 by a Wedge shoe 110 which engages between a circumferential facing flange 111-011 the disk 105 and a cam block 112 on the periphery of the opposing clutch disk 106. The Wedge shoe 110 is fixed to a rock shaft 113 (see Fie. 19) so as to be swingable to the dot-and'fdas line position indicated'in said illustration. more clearly shown in Fig. 1, the shoe 110 has a tapered nose, one side ofwhich'flatly opposes the inner edge of the flange -111 and the other side of which is adapted for coaction with the cam block 112 which has an angularly-disposed face for co-action therewith. When the singularly-disposed face of the wedge block comes into engagement with the o o-acting face of the Wedge shoe, the

cammino' action causes an axial'shifting .of

the member 106 of the clutch, disengaging this member from the member 105. Alinmediat-ely upon Withdrawal of the Wedge shoe 110, the clutch member or disk 106 is urged forwardly by the compression spring 109 for meshing engagement ,of the teeth thereon with those ofthe member or disk 105. As a convenient means for reti-acting the Wedge shoe 110, there is provided a'treadle 114 adjacent the foot of the frontial column'3, Figs. 4 and 21, said treadle being connected by a link 115 with a lever arm 116 keyed on the rock shaft 113. Depression of the treadle 114 is opposer by a helical spring 117 abutting at one end against a fixture 118 rigidly mounted inthe apparatus sub-framework, and at the opposite end against an adjustable collar 119 on a slide rod 120 having one extremity guided in said fixture 118, and the other pivotally connected at 121 to the wedge shoe 110. To set the apparatus in motion, it is necessary to depress the treadle 114` for but' an instant to permit interengagement between the clutch members or disks 105, 106 and thereby effecting coupling of the sleeve 103 with the shaft 9 The just explainedl motion continues, however, only for one complete revolution of the shaft 97, as determined by subsequent automatic action of the Wedge shoe 110 in spreading the clutch members or disks 105. 106 to their normal separated positions, as illustrated in Fig. 20. Retrogressive movement, incidental to the operation of the main shaft 97 is prevented by engagement of a detent 122 with a ratchet wheel 123 secured to said shaft, see Figs. 1 and 21.

T he rollers 11, by Whiclnthe fabric is progressed through the apparatus, receive motion from the same source of power that serves the shed formers 30, the interposed mechanism being as follows:

To the rear end of the line shaft 16 which carries the several spiral pinions 15 is affixed a ratchet Wheel 124 picked by a pawl 125 carried by an arm 126 mounted for oscillation on the rear end of said shaft. The outer end of the arm 126 is coordinated by a link 127 (see Fig. 17) with a crank 128 secured to the rear end of a countershaft 129 adapted to be driven fromthe main shaft 97 through the medium of a imiter gear couple comprehensively indicated 130 in Figs.

y 132 located within justing screw 134 rotatable the event of breakage 1 and 21, and thereby given a single rotation with, each actuation of the apparatus. In order that the extent of motion imparted to the progressing rolls 11 may be accurately regulated, the eccentric pin 131 is made adjustable along the crank 128 by'the means illustrated in Fi 18. As shown, the eccentric pin 131 projects laterally from a block a longitudinal groove 133 of the crank 128 which is engaged by an adin bearings at opposite ends of said crank 128. At one end, the screw 134 is provided with a manipulating head 135;,forconvenience in edecting ad' justment. With the means just described, it is possible to adjust the throw of the pawl 125 and vary the influence of'the latter upon the ratchet wheel 124 which is instrumental in causing intermittent rotation "of the traction rollers 11 and progressive movement of the fabric.

Referring again to Fig. 2, it will be noted that the wire-engaging teeth 33, 34 are not directly attached to the opposing jaws 31, 32 of the shed formers 30, but to plate elements 138 that are removablysecured to said members by wing nuts v139 engaging projecting screw studs. This arrangement permits ready and quick interchange of elements having teeth diderently spaced so that the apparatus may be adapted for weaving wire fabrics with correspondingly diderent pitch of the diamond meshes. The teeth 33, 34 are furthermore separately attached, by screws or other suitable fastening devices, to the elements 138, to enable easy replacement in of one or more of them. As shown in Fig. 10, the ends of the teeth 33, 34 are notched laterally as at 140 to receive and centralize the wire strands, and at the rear have lateral offsets 141 with longitudinal recesses 142 to form, collectively considered, continuous guides for receiving the new wire strands S, S which are to be incorporated in the fabric, the depressions being preferably tapered as illustrated, to afford easy approaches and thereby facilitate introduction of said wires. The positions of the crossed strands in the fabric are determined bv stops 143 which limit the extent to which they may be initially inserted in the sheds established by the respective teeth teeth33, 34, iexing t 33, 34, said stops being located adjacent the last teeth at the inward ends of the lower members 32 of. the shed formers 30, as shown in Fi 7 Y l j Briefly described, the operation ot the apparatus is as follows:

To begin with, it is to be assumed that the apparatus comes to rest after each actuatlon with .the opposing jaws 31, 32 of thel two shed formers. 30 in closed osition, and with the iie trailing ends of alternate strands of the fabric in opposite directions-as shown in Fig. 8to provide the sheds. New strands S, S' are thereupon placed in the sheds 'in cross relation, see Fig.

such placement being facilitated by the guides jointly aorded by the lateral offsets 141 of the teethy 33, 34 of the shed formers 30. With the new strands S, S properly positioned, the operator depresses the treadle 114 to retract the wedge shoe 110 from between theopposing disk members 105, 106 of the clutch 104, thereby edecting automatic coupling of the -sleeve 103 with the main shaft 97 to set ,the apparatus in motion. Incidental to turning of the main shaft 97 one complete revolution for each actuation of the apparatus, motion is transmitted (through the various interposed instrumentalites previously described, including the vertical coordinating shafts 85) si multaneously to the rotatable disks 60, 72 of the shed former actuating means at opposite angular sides of the main frame. As a result, the shiftable bars 38, 48, respectively associated with the shed former-s 30, are first moved forwardby cooperation of the latches 56, with the respective pins 59, 71 on the disks 60, 72 to effect approach of the teeth 33, 34, and secondly upon subsequent release to the action of thev kick-ott devices, they temporarily assume under the assistance of gravity, the dot-and-dash line positions indicated in-Fig. 2; or, with the teeth 33, 34 relatively separated. i

In the separating movement of the teeth, rebound of'the delicately counterbalanced jaws 31 and 32 from the frame horizontale 6 and 7, with which they respectively contact, is prevented by means of spring clips 144 (see Figs. 2, 13-15) which are secured to the said horizontals 6 and 7 respectively and which are adapted to enga e and grip arms 145 projecting from the jaws 31, 32. The said clips 144 comprise spaced fiexible arms formed with inturned opposed shoulders 146, and the arms 145 are generally tapered at the extremities and are provided with shoulders 147 which when the arms enter between the flexible arms of the clips, as shown in Fig. 15, are interlocked with the shoulder 146. The jaws 31, 32, are thus prevented from rebounding from the horizontals f 6 and 7. r1`he clips 144 have not sutlicient strength to retain the arms against the impulsaresulting from the engagement of the latches 56 and as previously described, and when.r this engagement occurs, the retentive holdof the clips on the jaws is broken. Adjustment of 70 with pins 59 and 71.

the arms of the clip to regulate the tension f formers 30,

` its inner end a cran the manner previously explained, with resultant transposal of the trailing wire ends of said fabric relative to the teeth 33, 34 of the opposing members 31, 32` respectively, so that the sheds are reversed u on subsequent approach of the teeth (whic immediately follows), the apparatus thereafter coming to rest with the shed formers 30 closedafter a complete cycle of the operations just recited. By. employing crimped wire with the crests of the crimps spaced say a quarter of an inch apart, and with proper interchange of the shed-forming elements,it is possible to produce with the apparatus described, wire mesh ranging from one-half inch pitch to an inch and a half pitch, or even more, as may be desired or required.

ln Figs. 21, 22

a modification of and 23, there is illustrated the mechanism foractuating the shed-forming jaws 31 and 32. lln this instance, there is provided at each side of the machine a shaft 150, said shafts being journaled in bearings 151 and 152 carried respectively by the frame pieces 10 and a frame piece 153 extending at the front of the machine between the horizontal frame bars 5. Each of these shafts carries at one end a bevel pinion 154, each of which mesh with a pinion 155 carried by a stub shaft 156 journaled in bearings 157 secured to the inner sides of the frame horizontale 5. Each of the shafts 150 also carries a'second bevel pinion 158, each of which meshes with a pinion 159 on a stub shaft 160 journaled in a bearing 161 also secured to the inner sides of the frame horizontals 5. Each of the two stub shafts 156 and 160 at each side of the frame has at k 162 which through a connecting rod 163 is connected with the upper movable member or jaw 31, the lower end of the connecting rod 163 being directly connected to an upwardly extending guide bar 164 attached at its lower end to the jaw 31 and. operating through a Iguide bracket 165 on the frame horizontal 6. The connecting rods 163 are adjustable as to length through turnbuckles 166.

Each of the shafts 150 carries at its rear end a bevel pinion 167 which meshes with a bevel pinion 168 at the top of a vertical shaft 169, which latter shafts are journaled in brackets 170 and 171 respectively attached to the frame horizontals 6 and to a frame tie bar 172. `Each of the shafts 169 has at its lower end a bevel pinion 173 whichnieshes with a bevel pinion 174 on the main shaft 97, and in the present instance. the main shaft also carries towards each end a bevel pinion 175 which meshes with a bevel pinion 176 secured to -a shaft 177, these latter shafts extending parallel to and directly below the shafts 150`at each side of the machine and being supported in journals 178 and 179 carried respectively on the frame struts 10 and the lower frame struts 153. The shaft 177 carries also two bevel pinions 180, each of which meshes with a pinion 181 on a stub shaft 182 journaled in a bearing 183 attached to the inner side ofthe frame bars 8, and each of the stub shafts 182 has at its inner end a crank 184 which is connected through a connecting rod 185 with the lower movable member or jaw 32. The connection between each of the connecting rods 185 and the jaw 32 is established through a depending guide bar 186, these bars sliding through guide brackets 187 on the frame horizontal 7. The connecting rods 185 are adjustable as to length through the medium of a turnbuclrle 188.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that power applied through the main shaft 97 vertically reciprocates, through thetrains of mechanism described above, the jaws 31 and 32 to form the shed in the manner previously set forth.

ln order to counterbalance the weight of the lower jaw 32, there is provided a pair of arms 189 which are pivotally secured intermediate their ends at points indicated by 190, see Fig. 22, to a pair of frame uprights 191. These arms at their outer ends carry.

weights 192, and at their inner ends are pivotally connected with the lower end of a bar 193 depending from the jaw 32 and extending through a guide bracket 194 on the frame horizontal 7 The weights 192 are adjustable and function to relievethe cranks 184 of the greater portion of the weight of the lower movable member 32 and the associated parts. By providing the double arm construction of the counterweight mechanism,

.it will be apparent that'a substantial balance is obtained in the apparatus which has no tendency to transversely displace the guide bar 193 or the jaw 32, the latter having a free vertical movement in the frame free from transverse thrusts. The same balanced effect 1s obtained in the upper jaw 31 by the counterbalance device associated therewith including the two pivoted arms 41 and the connecting rods 47.

It will be apparent that the machine may be modified in other details without departure from the invention.

Claims:

1. In apparatus for fabricating diamond wire lmesh, the combination with mechanism for intermittently advancing a previously formed fabric, of vertically reciprocable shed-forming elements adapted to engage wire ends trailing from said fabric,.mecha' msm coordinated with said fabricadvancing mechanism and giving a positive movement o f the shed-forming elements in one direction to'form the said wire ends into angularly-disposed shedswith alternate reversals in the relation of said ends, and counterbalancing means for said shed-forming elements including in each instance a pairk of pivotally mounted arms extending in opposite direcmid sections,

. wire f forming elements -form angularlydisposed means operatively-connecting the inner ends of said arms with the shed-forming elements. In apparatus for fabricating diamond mesh,the combination with mechanism for intermittently advancing a previously formed fabric, of oppositely moving shedforming elements adapted to engage wire ends trailing 'from said fabric, mechanism for bringing said elements together in a shedforming operation, sai-d elements being thereafter separable by gravity torelease the wire ends during the advance movement of the `fabric, abutmgntsflrsaid shed-formingv elements limiting their movement 'under the force of gravity, and resilient means for preventing rebound of said elements from the 'said limiting abutments.

3. l'n `apparatus lor fabricating diamon wiromesh, the combination with mechanism for intermittently advancing a previously formed fabric, ofoppositely movingshedadapted to engage wire ends trailing romsaid fabric, mechanism for bringing said .elements together in a shed forming operation, said elements bein there after separable by gravity to release t e wire ends during the advance movement of the ilabric, abutments for said shed-forming elements vlimiting their-'movement under the torce oli gravity, and resilient means for preventing rebound oil said elements trom thosaid lirniting abutments `said resilient means comprising spring clips operativen/hen the ele-s ments approach the a utznentsto retain the and automatically releasable when the means are moved towards each lother by the said actuating mechanism, 1

d. ln apparatus for fabricating diamond wirernesh, the combination with automatically operative means adapted to successively sheds of wire ends trailing trom previously formed fabric with alternate reversals in wire ends, of coordinated means operative to advance the fabric between successive sh'edforming operations including opposed sets' of traction rollers arranged in cooperative pairs, the rollers of one set having reduced mechanism operatively engagking the rollers in 'said reduced portions for trailing from previously .formed .fabric 'with .actuatin vthe rollers, and relatively fixed l o engaging the rollers in said reprevent.

duced portions to reinforce and to distortion of the rollers.

wire mesh, the combination Awith automatically operative mans adapted to successivelg form singularly-disposed sheds ofwire .en

alternate reversals in the relation ot said wire ends, of coordinated means operative to advanoe the fabric between successive shed-A forming operations including opposed sets the lrelation of said i ciated wit eac `f0t lon taneous pin at a predetermlne cally operative means adapted to successively s form angularly-disposed.sheds oft wire ends trailing trom previously formed fabric with alternate reversals in the relation of said Wire ends, of coordinated means operative to ad- Vance the fabric between successive shedforming operations including opposed sets ot traction rollers arranged in cooperative pairs, V

the rollers of one set having reduced mid sec tions, mechanism operatively engaging the rollers in said reduced portions for actuatingF the rollers, and journal members also operatively/,associated with 'said reduced portions and supporting the rollers in the mid sections0 ln apparatus for* fabricating diamond wire mesh, the combination 'with autoina'tiu cally operative means adapted to successively- .form singularly disposed sheds oi wire ends l trailing from .previously formed fabric with alternate reversals in the relation of said wire ends, of coordinated means operative to ady vance the fabric between successive shedn said elements in a predetermined position,

forming operations including opposed sets ot ico traction rollers arranged in cooperati've'pairs,

the rollers ot one said mid sections, versely of said rollers, a plurality of spiral gears on said shaft engaging the spiral gears ot said rollers respectively, and bearing elel ments Jfor said shaft including journals for the reduced portions of said rollers.

ln apparatus tor fabricating diamond wire mesh, the combination with mechanism for advancing a previousl intermittently, of reciproca le` "shed-forming elements arranged in opposition adapted to engage vWire ends trailing from said fabric, a pivotall sus ended bar4 operatively assoof said elements, and means itudinally shifting 'said bars simuly to effect approach of the opposing l 'elements to form the shed,sadshiftingmeans 5. In apparatus for fabricating diamond comprising a rotary member havin a pro- .'ectmg pin, a hook movably mounte on said ar, meansnormally-retaining the hook in the athof thepin whereby when the disk revo ves the pin `engages the hook to lon itudinally shift thebar, and positive knoc colf means for disenga'gin 4the :hook from'the `oint to permit the retractive movementlof t e bar.- .i

set having reduced mid sections, spiral gears secured to therollers a shalt ,extending transformed fabric l ico ' intermittently, of

9. In apparatus' for fabricating diamond wire mesh, the combination with mechanism for advancing a previously formed fabric intermittently, of reciprocable shed-forming elements arranged in opposition adapted to engage Wire ends trailing from said fabric, a pivotally suspended bar operatively associated with each of` said elements, and means for longitudinally shifting said bars simultaneou'sly elements to form the shed, said shifting means comprising a rotary member having a projecting pin, a hook pivotally mounted on the bar, a spring normally retaining the khook resiliently in the path of said pin whereby as the said member revolves the pin engages the hook to thereby shift the bar, and a cam carried by said rotary member and adapted to shift the hook out of engagement. with the pin at a predetermined point to permit the reti-active movement of tbe bar.

l0. ln apparatus for fabricating diamond wire mesh, the combination with mechanism for advancing a previously formed fabric reciprocable shed-forming elements arranged in opposition adapted to i engage wire ends trailing from said fabric,

elements to v tates to V'shift the a pivotally suspended bar operatively associated with each of said elements, and means for longitudinally shifting said bars simultaneously to eiect approach of the opposing form the shed, said shifting means comprising a rotary member, cooperative means on said memberV and on the bar intermittentlyoperative as the member robar, and means carried by said rotary member and adapted to give the bar an initial impulse in the opposite direction for the retractive movement of the bar. 1l. in apparatus for fabricating diamond wire mesh, the combination with mechanism for advancing a previously formed fabric intermittently, of reciprocable shed-forming elements arranged in' opposition adapted to engage Wire ends trailing from said fabric, a pivotally suspended baroperatively associated with each of said elements, and means for longitudinally shifting said bars simultaneously to effect approach of the opposing elements to form the shed, said shifting means comprising a rotary member, cooperative means on said member and on the bar and intermittently operativein the rotation of said member to 'shift the bar in one direc` tion, and means carried by the rotary member and operative following disengagement of said cooperative members for positively moving the bar in the opposite direction.

l2. ln apparatus for fabricating diamond wire mesh, the combination with mechanism for advancing a previously formed fabric intermittently, of reciprocable shed-forming elements arranged in opposition adapted to engage Wire ends-trailing `from said fabric, a pivotally suspended bar operatively assoto effect approach of the opposingv opposite direction. y

f MARY A. GEHRET, Emecfutfm'm of the Last Will and Tesame'nt of Mahlon P. Gehret, Deceased. 

